{"id":8742,"date":"2020-02-07T15:29:52","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T23:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalgarden.co\/?p=8742"},"modified":"2022-08-23T17:23:58","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T00:23:58","slug":"mono-silicic-acid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalgarden.co\/knowledge\/mono-silicic-acid\/","title":{"rendered":"Mono-Silicic Acid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As research expands, growers are realizing the benefits of adding silicic acid, a form of the element silicon, to their growing routines. Silicon is not considered an essential plant nutrient. Still, it provides many benefits to plants. Therefore, some people think of silicon as a biostimulant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon provides a number of benefits to plants. These include increased resistance to pests and pathogens, increased growth, and increased stress tolerance. The mechanisms behind these benefits vary. Some of these benefits are caused by improved plant responses to pests. Others are due to structural changes in plants. Yet other benefits are caused by changes in plant chemical signaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you apply silicon, it\u2019s important to understand the forms that plants take up. After all, some forms of silicon are more available to plants than others. Therefore, applying silicic acid, silica, and silicate has different effects on plants. For best results, choose a product that contains monosilicic acid. One such product is Silution<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bionova Silution Mono-Silicic Acid<\/h3>

Premium grade mono-silicic acid at its finest. Highly concentrated and ultra absorbent.

Bionova started producing nutrients back in the mid-90s, and they are still producing some of the world’s best.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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See in Shop<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Some Silicon Terminology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we dive into the details, let\u2019s explore some terms. People often use these terms interchangeably, even when they don\u2019t mean the same thing. So, don\u2019t get led astray by other peoples\u2019 mistakes. Also, if you’re unsure what a person or company is referring to, ask them to clarify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve noticed that a lot of product suppliers and growers use the term silica when that\u2019s not what they mean. For example, growers say they’re applying silica products when they’re really applying silicon products. However, not all silicon products are silica.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Silica is a major component of sand.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

So, here are the definitions of some common terms involved in talks about silicon in plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon<\/strong>: a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silica<\/strong>: another name for silicon dioxide (SiO\u2082); found in the mineral quartz and also a major component of sand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicic Acid<\/strong>: a general term for compounds containing silicon (Si), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monosilicic Acid<\/strong>: Si(OH)\u2084 also known as orthosilicic acid<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicates<\/strong>: compounds containing oxygen and silicon, including calcium silicate and potassium silicate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you get confused about all the types of silicon compounds, refer back to these definitions. Most importantly, remember that these terms aren\u2019t interchangeable! Silica is NOT the same thing as silicon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Silica Do for Plants?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, what does “silica” do for plants? The truth is, not much. However, if you hear growers talking about applying silica, they probably mean they’re applying a product that contains silicon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, silicon does a lot for plants! This element<\/a> is not considered an essential plant nutrient<\/a>, since plants can complete their life cycles without it. However, silicon benefits plants in several ways. Some of the most important ways are mentioned below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Promotes Plant Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This element increases the growth of cells, leading to faster growth of roots, stems, and shoots. Studies have shown that when growers apply silicon, plants grow taller and have thicker stems. This means stronger both larger and stronger plants. And larger and stronger plants means higher yields!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon also encourages more lateral branching. So, if you’re looking for taller and bushier plants, add silicic acid. When you apply silicic acid products, you’ll be amazed at how much they impact plant growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improves Resistance to Fungal and Bacterial Pathogens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although it\u2019s not fully known how, silicon helps protect plants against harmful fungi<\/a>. Some of these fungi include fusarium wilt and powdery mildew<\/a>. Scientists think one way this element protects plants is by stimulating plant defenses. When you add silicon to your plants, they can better recognize diseases and begin to fight back.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Silicon helps plants fight against fungi such as downy mildew.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Another way silicon protects plants is by increasing the production of plant stress hormones. These hormones, including jasmonic acid and abscisic acid, help plants better respond to the stress caused by pathogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you apply monosilicic acid to plants, you can often decrease pesticide applications by 50%<\/a> or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strengthens Cell Walls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you apply silicon to plants, it becomes a part of plant cell walls<\/a>. This leads to an increase in the strength and rigidity of cell walls. Think of silicon as a layer of mortar enforcing brick walls. The bricks can stand without the mortar, but they are much stronger with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With stronger cell walls, plants can better withstand pressure from wind and heavy rain. Since cell walls are less likely to experience damages, plants have a lower risk of breaking stems. Growing your plants indoors<\/a> in a protected environment? Stronger cell walls still help plants by protecting against abiotic and biotic stressors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increases Resistance to Insect Pests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just like silicon helps plants fight off fungal and bacterial pathogens, it also stimulates plant defenses that protect against insect pests<\/a>. With these heightened defenses, plants are more likely to win the battles against their attackers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once in the plant, this element also stimulates the production<\/a> of compounds that draw predatory insects and parasitoids in to attack the insect pests. Due to these stronger pest defenses, growers can decrease their pesticide applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improves Tolerance to Drought and Heat Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When plants face adverse conditions such as drought, heat, or cold, silicon promotes the production of defense compounds. Along with this, silicon increases nutrient uptake. Therefore, this leads to plants that can better withstand abiotic stressors. Just as with humans, increased health in plants allows them to better respond to trying conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protects Against Heavy Metals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We know that heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead can harm plant health. These metals can damage plant cells, stunt plant growth, and prevent proper nutrient uptake. However, silicon can help protect plants against the damages caused by heavy metals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One study<\/a> showed that plants supplemented with silicon can better protect themselves against the heavy metal cadmium (Cd). Also, silicon helps protects plants against the harms caused by heavy metal aluminum (Al). Therefore, if you\u2019re growing in contaminated soils, it\u2019s especially helpful to provide your plants with high enough levels of silicon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant Available Silica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though silicon is not known as a major nutrient in plant nutrition, it\u2019s quite common in the world. In fact, the earth\u2019s crust contains more than 27% silicon. That makes it the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust, following oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if there is so much silicon already present why must you apply it to plants? Because most of the silicon in the plant\u2019s crust is held in forms plants cannot take up. These include silicon dioxide (silica) and various silicate minerals. Silica is found in nature as quartz, a component of sand, and as a part of other rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While plants can\u2019t take up silica, they can take up another form of silicon \u2014monosilicic\/orthosilicic acid. Bacteria can convert other silicon compounds into monosilicic acid. However, this process takes weeks or months. By the time silicon is in a plant available form, it is often too late. Therefore, growers often apply silicon in the form of monosilicic acid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon and pH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that the pH of a solution<\/a> impacts the form of silicon in solution. When a solution is moderately basic (a pH above 8), monosilicic acid will react with minerals. Once this happens, the silicon precipitates out as a solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, it’s probably best to add silicon nutrients to an acidic hydroponic nutrient solution, with a pH roughly between 5.5 and 6.0. Most nutrient solutions are generally in this range. However, if you’re running at a higher pH, say around 8.0, the silicon might react with the other nutrients dissolved in your solution and precipitate out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, don’t add silicon to alkaline nutrient solutions with a high pH. If you do, it could wreck your nutrient solution altogether!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a little pro tip for you: In order to avoid precipitation, many experienced master growers dissolve and dilute their nutrients into small batches of water, just before adding them to the main nutrient solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Look for in Silicon Products<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to take note of not only the percent of silicon in a product but also the percent of plant-available silicon (PAS). Just because a product contains a high percentage of silicon, it does not mean plants will take up a high percentage. Also, just because a product contains stabilized silicic acid, it does not necessarily mean it contains a high amount of plant-available silicon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When searching for products, look for the form of silicon that a product contains. Next, look for the total silicon content and plant-available silicon content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicic Acid for Plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, monosilicic\/orthosilicic acid is the type of silicon available to plants. This compound is just one molecule of silicic acid, rather than a chain of molecules attached together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bio Nova SiLution<\/a> consists of a stabilized and bioavailable form of silicic acid. This product also contains fulvic acid<\/a>. This biostimulant helps stabilize the silicic acid. It also increases a plant\u2019s defense against stressors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SiLution also contains boron and zinc. These three elements (Si, B, and Zn) work together to provide maximum benefits to plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying Silicic Acid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two main ways to apply silicic acid: as a foliar spray or as a soil application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To apply as a foliar spray, mix your product in solution according to product instructions. Research trials suggest that stabilized silicic acid sprays should contain 2-6 mL\/L (7-45 ppm) of silicic acid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For best results, begin spraying your plants in the early vegetative stage of growth. Spray 3-4 times over a period of 2-3 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research on foliar sprays has shown the following results:<\/p>\n\n\n\n